L-Carnitine Ameliorates Amiodarone-Mediated Alveolar Damage: Oxidative Stress Parameters, Inflammatory Markers, Histological and Ultrastructural Insights

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess L-carnitine’s effects on adult male rats’ lung damage brought on by amiodarone, which is a potent antiarrhythmic with limited clinical efficacy due to potentially life-threatening amiodarone-induced lung damage. Because of the resemblance among the structural abnormalities in rats’ lungs that follows amiodarone medication and pulmonary toxicity in human beings, this animal model may be an appropriate example for this disease entity. Amiodarone produced pulmonary toxicity in twenty-four healthy male albino rats (150–180 g) over a period of 6 weeks. Four groups of six rats each were established: control, sham, amiodarone, and L-carnitine plus amiodarone. Histological, ultrastructural, oxidative stress, and inflammatory markers were determined during a 6-week exposure experiment. Amiodarone-induced lung damage in rats may be brought on due to oxidative stress producing significant pulmonary cytotoxicity, as evidenced by the disruption of the mitochondrial structure, severe fibrosis, and inflammatory response of the lung tissue. Lungs already exposed to such harmful effects may be partially protected by the antioxidant L-carnitine. Biochemical markers of lung damage brought on by amiodarone include lung tissue levels of the enzyme’s catalase, superoxide dismutase, and reduced glutathione. The levels of lipid peroxides in lung tissue measured as malondialdehyde increased significantly upon exposure to amiodarone. In addition, the levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha were significantly elevated in response to amiodarone. The effect of L-carnitine on amiodarone-induced pulmonary toxicity was studied in rats. It is interesting to note that the intake of L-carnitine in rats treated with amiodarone partially restored the biochemical and histopathological alterations brought on by amiodarone to their original levels. Tumor necrosis factor alpha levels were significantly reduced upon L-carnitine exposure. These results suggest that L-carnitine can be used to treat amiodarone-induced pulmonary dysfunction.